Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued a royal decree on Monday terminating the service of the Commander of the Joint Forces.
It read: the termination of the service of the Commander of the Joint Forces, the relieving of the Deputy Governor of Al-Jouf of his responsibilities and their referral along with a number of officers and civil servants of the Defense Ministry for investigation.
MAKKAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal on Monday launched a “distance learning” campaign under the auspices of the 5th Makkah Cultural Forum. The drive has been launched to support the education department to provide students hailing from low-income families with smart devices and internet connections in far-flung areas.
The governor said the initiative is part of measures taken on the directive of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the safety of citizens and residents amid the pandemic.
He also highlighted the importance of the Makkah Cultural Forum. This year, Prince Khalid said, the forum aims to work with relevant entities to achieve the Makkah Digital Portal for Research Innovation, the Makkah Digital Conference and Exhibition and an electronic linkage project between different regions.
This year’s theme of the forum is “How can we set an example in the digital world?” The forum aims at involving authorities, institutions, and individuals in the development of cultural identity.
The Makkah Cultural Forum, launched by the governor of the Makkah region four years ago, succeeded in unifying the cultural and humanitarian works of the government and private sectors in the region around a single vision and a positive concept.
Talal Ajlan Alajlan is the chief executive officer of the National Center for Family Business (NCFB).
He has over 18 years of experience in the banking and investment sector.
Before joining the NCFB, Alajlan held numerous senior management positions such as the deputy general director of the enablement and creativity sector at the Human Resources Development Fund, CEO of Al-Nakhla Real Estate Development Co., and the vice president of business development and strategy at Emcor Saudi Arabia.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in law at King Saud University in 1996. Alajlan did a chartered financial planner course from the Dalhousie University in Canada.
Alajlan designed, developed, and executed enablement initiatives and programs such as (Qurrah, Wusool) to support Saudi women and empower them to enter the workforce and sustain their jobs.
He also provided enablement solutions to support small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs through different programs.
In addition to being a board member of several companies, Alajlan is a member of the Saudi Economy Association.
According to him, “Saudi Arabia is living a great transformation toward different aspects of life, starting from enabling the young population all the way to build one of the strongest economies in the world.”
RABAT: The director general of Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim bin Mohammed Al- Malik, on Monday called on the Jordanian Ambassador to Morocco Hazem Al-Khatib Al-Tamimi in Rabat to discuss ways to boost cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.
During the meeting, Al-Malik highlighted the achievements of his organization and the strategies it had adopted to increase cooperation among member states.
He said ICESCO provided modern equipment to 24 countries to support continuity of education amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Al-Malik called on Jordan to join the comprehensive humanitarian alliance established by the organization.
RIYADH: The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) in Yemen dismantled 24 antipersonnel mines, 231 anti-tank mines, 4 explosive devices, and 1,014 unexploded ordnance — totaling 1,273 mines — during the fourth week of August.
A total of 182,228 mines have been extracted since the beginning of the project. More than 1.1 million mines have been planted by Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen during the conflict, claiming hundreds of civilian lives.
Masam aims to dismantle mines in Yemen to protect civilians and ensure that urgent humanitarian supplies are delivered safely.
Houthis are developing anti-vehicle mines and turning them into antipersonnel explosives to intimidate and terrorize civilians.
The vast number of land mines continues to pose a threat to the Yemeni people.
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health announced a triple-digit daily increase in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases for the third day in a row this week, while recoveries exceeded 290,000 on Monday.
A total of 951 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Kingdom, meaning that 315,772 people have now contracted the disease. There were 21,079 active cases, and 1,552 of them are in critical condition.
In addition, 1,129 patients had recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 290,796.
Saudi Arabia reported 27 new COVID-19-related deaths, raising the death toll to 3,897.
The Ministry of Health called on everyone to actively wash their hands with soap and water as a means of protection against the virus, and for every person to wear a mask whether medical or cloth, or a tight cover over the nose and mouth, with the exception of those alone in enclosed spaces.
The ministry advised everyone experiencing symptoms to go to a Tetamman (rest assured) clinic and for those not experiencing symptoms, or with mild symptoms, and who believe themselves to have had contact with an infected person, to visit a Takkad (make sure) center.
In Hafar Al-Batin, 7,000 beneficiaries have received Tetamman clinic services so far, through four clinics distributed over several health facilities.
People can also book an appointment through the “Sehhaty” application, or by calling the center number (937) for consultations and inquiries around the clock, or message 920005937 on WhatsApp, for new interactive services, to obtain health information and services, learn about COVID-19 developments, primary care centers, blood donation centers, appointments and how to obtain them.
It is noteworthy that the World Health Organization (WHO) released on Monday a first indicative survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems based on 105 countries’ reports.
Data collected from over the period from March to June illustrated that 90 percent of the world’s countries experienced disruption to their health services, with low- and middle-income countries reporting the greatest difficulties.
“The survey shines a light on the cracks in our health systems, but it also serves to inform new strategies to improve healthcare provision during the pandemic and beyond,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “COVID-19 should be a lesson to all countries that health is not an ‘either-or’ equation. We must better prepare for emergencies but also keep investing in health systems that fully respond to people’s needs throughout the life course.”
MAKKAH: Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, president of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority on Monday announced the launch of a training program in the field of data and artificial intelligence (AI) for 100 young men and women in the Makkah region.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 5th Makkah Cultural Forum.
Al-Ghamdi said: “We are living in the era of data economy and AI. In 2015, the global data volume was 15 zettabytes, which increased to 50 zettabytes in 2020. In 2025m it will rise to 175 zettabytes.”
He said the global economy has an opportunity to exploit this huge volume of data. According to studies, Al-Ghamdi added, the Kingdom’s share of this advanced economy will be 12.4 percent by 2030.
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef on Monday said the ministry is taking all measures to boost the industrial and mining sector by introducing investor-friendly regulations and ensuring transparency in procedures.
He said the launch of the “Made in Saudi Arabia” program aims to promote local products, which are of high quality and conform to the Kingdom’s specifications and standards.
Alkhorayef said encouraging the local industries will have a huge impact on the local economy and in the long term, it will help the Saudi business community claim a greater share in the regional and global markets.
The minister said the Saudi industrial sector has proven its ability to deal with crises as is evident from its recent performance during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He said the local industries successfully met the needs of the local consumers. The ministry, Alkhorayef said, is working to further develop different mechanisms to expand the Saudi industrial base.
The minister said the government wants to ensure the empowerment of the industrial sector by introducing reforms and offering incentives to help the local manufacturers boost their capabilities and work in a competitive and just environment.
He said the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is working with the Ministry of Energy through the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program to stimulate the growth of the industrial sector in the Kingdom.
NAJRAN: Boosting sports activity as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 was discussed in a Sunday meeting between Najran Gov. Prince Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz and Minister of Sports Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.
Prince Jalawi said the region was ready to open new facilities for different sports, including sand skiing in the Empty Quarter and Oroug Bani M’aradh, and off-road hill climbing with cars in the Badr Al-Janoub mountains.
He also discussed the challenges that sports face in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdul Aziz said the ministry is determined to continue producing sports equipment and increasing participation in sporting activities in the region.
He praised Najran’s passion for sports, the excellence of its athletes and its contribution to local and regional competitions.
Tala Al-Jahlan has been the acting executive director of legal affairs at the G20 Saudi Secretariat and heading the legal affairs and compliance department since this August.
She spoke about her role at the secretariat in an interview recently, saying that her team had an essential role as it supported other departments to facilitate daily tasks, organize relations locally and internationally and frame these relations on clear legal grounds.
“We are the result of our country’s and leadership investments in the youth, we are an example of such support and empowerment,” she added. “I’m proud to be a product of my country. I have been educated in Saudi Arabia and had my career in Saudi. I have been taught and trained by Saudis.”
In addition to her job at the G20 Saudi Secretariat, she has been pursuing an education in commercial law at Prince Sultan University since 2019.
She studied for a law degree at the university between 2006 and 2011 and, prior to her current position, was a senior legal adviser at the G20 Saudi Secretariat from last October until August this year.
She started her career as an internship trainee at Al-Sulaim Al-Awaji and Partners Law Firm between Sept. 2010 and April 2011, becoming a senior legal adviser at the same firm between May 2011 and Oct. 2019.
Al-Jahlan has represented international and Saudi Arabian corporations and families in transactions connected to corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, foreign direct investment, facility agreements, agency, and distributorship matters.
DAMMAM: The sixth edition of the Saudi Film Festival is set to kick off virtually on Tuesday. The event is organized by the Culture and Arts Association in Dammam, in partnership with the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, and is backed by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture.
The six-day festival celebrates Saudi films and filmmakers, and will include screenings, discussion panels, symposia and awards.
RIYADH: Hundreds of citations for tax violations were issued last week by the Kingdom’s General Authority of Zakat and Tax. The 865 violations were detected during 3,609 inspection visits that were carried out to ensure that businesses were adhering to zakat and income tax regulations, and to also reduce violations.
Violations included failure to keep tax invoices, tax amounts not being collected, and an absence of tax stamps on tobacco products.
RIYADH: A deal has been signed to empower women in Yemen and develop their role in the economy, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The joint cooperation memorandum was signed on Sunday between the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and the Marib Girls Foundation.
It was co-signed by the general supervisor of SDRPY, Mohammed Al-Jaber, and the foundation’s chairwoman, Yasmin Al-Qadhi.
Al-Qadhi commented on the impact achieved through cooperation in the economic field as well as through the agreement, which would motivate women to be creative and innovative in implementing and leading small projects and become entrepreneurs over time.
She said that the agreement had several aspects that strengthened the role of women in society such as supporting startups and preparing entrepreneurial women, fulfilling women’s talent, honoring female figures, and drawing the attention of decision-makers toward integrating the concept of women’s economic empowerment into the educational system.
Al-Qadhi hailed the important and vital role led by the general supervisor of the SDRPY to support Yemeni women in the labor market. She said that this reflected the Kingdom’s desire for the recovery of Yemen and its economy, especially through establishing such a program to take on this task.
Al-Jaber said that the agreement was the first to be signed between the SDRPY and a development foundation headed by a Yemeni woman, whether in Marib or elsewhere in the country, that was responsible for the economic empowerment of women, youth empowerment, and strengthening their potential.
A business incubator that was prepared in Marib will be a model for everything that can be done to empower girls and youth in the area and it will positively reflect on the rest of Yemen’s governorates.
A business incubator that was prepared in Marib will be a model for everything that can be done to empower girls and youth in the area and it will positively reflect on the rest of Yemen’s governorates, according to Al-Jaber.
He also said that development support in Marib covered all areas, including the health sector.
“Several hospitals have been equipped by securing the clinics’ needs of devices, ambulances, and intensive care rooms, in addition to equipping many health centers in Marib with medical equipment,” he added.
Al-Jaber said that the education sector in Marib was supported by a project to build the faculties of Saba University and the School of the Gifted, in addition to launching a project for buses to transport female students from remote villages and regions to the university.
JEDDAH: Around 6 million school students and half-a-million teachers in Saudi Arabia began the first week of the new academic year virtually on Sunday, but with shared frustration and a difficult start.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education (MoE) announced a test launch of its new Madrasati (My school) platform for distance learning last week before the start of the academic year, but many students and teachers have been struggling with their registration since the initial announcement.
A hashtag on the new educational platform was trending in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, where many students, parents, and teachers asked for help or expressed their frustration and confusion.
Secondary school student Mariam Harthi from Jeddah told Arab News that she preferred how things went last semester.
“It was much easier before this platform, we used to arrange everything with the teacher via our Telegram group and attend classes with her on ZOOM or Microsoft Teams, and things were going well. I still cannot register on the new platform and I don’t know why yet, although I followed the instructions. Something is wrong,” she said.
Secondary school student Saleh Omar from Makkah was able to complete creating his account on the platform, but said he doesn’t know how to use it yet.
“Thankfully, I was able to access the platform but I think it is just a matter of time to get used to it, but I know many people who are still struggling, but I think the problem can be fixed before next week.”
Many private schools had their own subscriptions to other educational platforms, and have already begun implementing their virtual education experience plan.
Reema Mohammed, a private school teacher in Jeddah, said that her school would begin classes starting Monday this week.
“Our school has experience with such platforms, therefore adapting to the new normal was a bit less challenging for us,” she said.
“I think confusion at the beginning of an academic school year is normal. The ministry has offered many other services for teachers that everyone is benefitting from, such as Ein website, YouTube and a number of TV channels. Students can still study until the unified platform is entirely functioning properly with everyone. We will eventually find a solution.”
Parents of students starting a new level are the ones finding the current situation the most uncertain.
“My son has just begun his intermediate level this year, and he still does not know anything about his teachers and schedule because I’m not able to use the platform yet,” said Maha Hazmi.
“It is a new level and he has to connect with his new school, teachers, and friends. The beginnings of such experiences are important and I hope he starts his first week the right way.”
On Saturday, the ministry announced that the first week of this school year will be a trial period so students, parents, and teachers can complete the registration process, get trained on how to use it and receive technical support to set up their accounts and become familiar with the platform.
Students’ and teachers’ attendance won’t be tracked during the first week, though everyone should follow their schedules starting from next week. Madrasati is a free platform that is set to facilitate students’ evaluation and communication between teachers and students as well as their parents.
It imitates a normal day at school that begins with the national anthem and some physical exercises before students start their classes.
It also allows teachers to create virtual classes and offers students a wide variety of content including presentations, educational videos, textbooks, exercises, and courses for different levels: Elementary, intermediate, and secondary.
It is one of the ministry’s steps in activating and enhancing the distance learning concept nationwide.
Earlier in April, Education Minister Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh said distance learning could eventually be a strategic choice for Saudi Arabia and not just an alternative following the coronavirus disease crisis.
“We must adapt, live with the new normal, and estimate future risks that can affect students and that all faculty members may face in various settings,” said Al-Sheikh on Friday.
JEDDAH: Lina Mo has become a rising Saudi star by combining fashion photography and experimentation with the surrounding elements.
“I’m inspired by many things that surround me, grab my attention, and in no time I find something and twist it, reshape it and make it my own while staying away from copying previous works by other photographers,” she said.
“I’m making my mark in the photography world, my way.”
Born and raised in Jeddah, Mo had a love of photography from a young age but told Arab News that she had a difficult start before the introduction of DSLR cameras.
“I used to always worry about film and developing it but in 2010 I received my first DSLR and that is when I started experimenting and learned photography as a hobby. It wasn’t until 6 years later in 2016 when I started taking it seriously, learning by reading books and watching YouTube videos.”
Mo has set herself up as a rising photographer who not only thinks outside the box but finds beauty in the subject she is photographing.
She does not like limiting herself to a certain style but tries to work with whatever comes to her creatively, drawing new inspiration from different things.
Mo said her learning experience was challenging, however she found it easy to shoot using the outdoors as her playground. “It wasn’t very difficult for me to shoot outside. I hear a lot of people say that it is difficult to shoot outside but that wasn’t the case for me; I suppose I got lucky as you have a lot to work with in a vast space.”
I haven’t achieved my biggest achievement yet and there are a lot of things in my mind that I want to do and pursue.
Lina Mo
She said that she does most of her shoots for fun, so much so that most of the times her friends are the ones modeling in her photos.
“I usually test on my friends and they are usually my models, and one of those experiments was featured in the Riyadh Season to represent Riyadh City, and we were just having fun.”
Mo also worked on the “Under the Abaya” book that showcased Saudi women in their “street clothes” — the photographer was able to show the beauty of the women wearing the simple garment as a reflection of their personalities.
The photographer said that it was her favorite achievement. “Being a part of the international project ‘Under the Abaya’ was very important to me. It was fun, it was different and meeting all these women was the best part of the whole project. You get to meet colorful people and each one is a personality that wildly differs from the next, a reflection of how our community is, cultured, traditional in a sense and at the same time varied.”
“The fact that it is nonprofit, international and not just local — and the best thing about it is that it is about women in Saudi Arabia and shows how we really are — made this my favorite achievement so far,” she said.
It is difficult to pin down a photographer who is so constantly on the move. The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on many, but with such creativity it was hard to keep the photographer from pursuing innovative projects.
While under lockdown, she was able to organize a shoot with a colleague in the US via Zoom, and though it took some planning they were able come up with a photoshoot that delivered the results they both wanted.
“I haven’t achieved my biggest achievement yet and there are a lot of things in my mind that I want to do and pursue,” she said.
Mo said that photographers would face their own difficulties in the future. However, they should not give up but continue to do what they love, and with determination they could achieve what they wanted.
RIYADH: An armed drone launched by the Houthis toward Abha airport was intercepted and destroyed, the Arab coalition said on Sunday.
Although some shrapnel fell on the airport as the drone was destroyed, no injuries were reported, coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said.
The coalition will continue to to implement strict measures to deter the Houthis to ensure the protection of civilians, Al-Maliki added.
He also said that the Houthi militias would be held accountable in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Majid Al-Mirzam has been appointed executive affairs advisor to the Saudi minister of foreign affairs.
He is a senior executive with more than 19 years of experience in the public and private sectors.
Prior to his current appointment, he served as the vice governor for trade facilitation and operations at Saudi Customs. Al-Mirzam joined the Saudi Customs in January 2017 as the deputy governor for planning and development.
He also served as the assistant deputy minister for foreign trade relations at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment from August 2016 to January 2017.
From April 2012 to July 2016, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an adviser for program management.
Al-Mirzam obtained a bachelor’s degree in information systems at King Saud University in 2000. He also attended the Program for Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School.
He began his career at the Saudi Telecom Co. as a department manager in July 2000. Al-Mirzam later joined Alinma Bank in February 2007 as head of IT architecture. He also worked as operator channels lead at Microsoft between November 2010 to April 2012.
He served as a steering committee member of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax between December 2016 and August 2018. Al-Mirzam is also a board member of ASICOM Algerian-Saudi Investment Co.
MADINAH: Madinah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal on Saturday inaugurated a workshop to help create employment opportunities for orphans. The event was organized by Madinah’s District Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz University and the chambers of commerce and industry in Madinah and Yanbu.
The deputy governor stressed the need to set out a clear roadmap to achieve the desired results.
He called on the relevant authorities to study all aspects of the initiative to help the beneficiaries take full advantage of the program, which included raising their competitiveness and honing their skills to meet the demand of the labor market.
The secretary-general of the Madinah District Council, Mohammed Abbas, briefed the deputy governor about the program and the steps that have been taken so far for the implementation of the program.
Officials of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development also gave a presentation on the services provided to orphans and people with special needs.
MADINAH: The Madak Education Forum 2020, organized by the Madak Academy in Madinah, will be launched on Oct. 6.
The two-day forum, to be held under the patronage of Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman, aims to build a system for the professional development of teachers in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The forum will highlight the importance of technology in the education sector and its effective use to hone teachers’ skills.
Fatima Al-Hawsawi, the general supervisor of the forum, said the forum aims to boost teachers’ creativity and confidence.
She said the event aims to help create a modern system of education that encourages creative thinking and produces leaders in the field.
Considered one of the most important educational foundations in Madinah, Madak is designed to provide a distinguished educational environment for students from kindergarten to secondary school.
The academy focuses on students, guardians and teachers, promoting the project’s vision as an integral part of Saudi social development.
JEDDAH: The start of a new school year has brought disappointment for some Saudi students and parents over what they say are “unrealistic expectations” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Classes in the Kingdom will be held online for at least the first seven weeks when the school year gets underway on Sunday.
However, students were told on Friday they must wear their school uniform before logging into the “Madrasati” platform to join virtual classes.
Saudi Education Minister Hamad Al-Shaikh also said that students must prepare their desks, take part in morning exercises and sing the national anthem “in order to create a school-like atmosphere at home” — a notion that didn’t sit well with some students or their parents.
Zainab Jamal Suleiman, a stay-at-home mother to two elementary students, said that insisting on the school’s morning routine at home will not bring any results.
“With all due respect, I think the idea of creating an environment for the children by having them sing the national anthem and do morning exercises is a bit much,” she told Arab News.
“I don’t think it will help the students. They have already experienced online learning for more than three months last semester; they won’t feel it (school atmosphere),” she said.
Suleiman said that the “morning routine” will be an added burden for students already facing a difficult situation, with some starting classes later in the day.
Applying the school’s morning routine at home will encourage students in their studies.
Bayan Al-Yafei
The ministry previously announced that intermediate and high school students will start classes at 9 a.m. and elementary school students at 3 p.m.
“Having them sing the national anthem and wear their uniforms is not going to help. On the contrary, they will feel like it’s a burden; they just want to get classes over with and finish their day,” she said.
“Having them do this every day will not help them feel they are part of a school community.”
Suleiman also took issue with the requirement that students wear school uniforms at home, saying that many children had outgrown their uniforms.
“Am I going to pay for a new school uniform for this year while they’re at home? These requirements shouldn’t be mandatory, they should be optional,” she said.
Sharing the same view, 12th grade student Leena Sharawani said she is “not too happy” about the morning routine at home, especially since students won’t be using webcams while taking part in classes.
• Classes in the Kingdom will be held online for at least the first seven weeks.
• Students have been asked to wear their school uniform before logging into the ‘Madrasati’ platform to join virtual classes.
• Students have been told to prepare their desks, take part in morning exercises and sing the national anthem before the commencement of online classes.
“I’m not really excited about it. We’re already waking up so early and having to put on a uniform sounds too much like a burden,” she told Arab News.
However, Sharawani said she is looking forward to reading the Qur’an, singing the national anthem and performing exercises. “They bring a sense of familiarity and make me feel like I am in school.”
Other parents have welcomed the ministry’s recommendations. Psychologist Bayan Al-Yafei said that applying the school’s morning routine at home will encourage students in their studies.
“I dress my third grader properly and fix her hair neatly — all that grooming to prepare her and boost her self esteem for her studies,” she told Arab News.
Even though classes will be online, Al-Yafei also wrapped her daughter’s school books with decorative covers.
“I even bought her a file, although there won’t be any paper exercises. But I will create them for her. I bought her a new pen and pencil set, pencil case and stickers to encourage her and add excitement to the new academic year.”
MAKKAH: A new female voice advocating for the health and well-being of women in sport has joined a football club to guide and support players.
In a move aimed at ensuring that athletes use their experience of sport and work to meet their needs, Mada Bazaid, a newly appointed social worker at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Wehda Football Club, is part of the board of directors’ efforts to improve the club’s status during the next phase, and to attract elements that will bring development and progress to the organization.
As sports is often a hook to captivate the attention of the community, advocating for different social causes, a tool to promote health and more due to its diverse nature, it takes a village to create change. With the help of inter-professional collaboration from various members in the sports scene, social workers can now assist in the process.
Bazaid, who holds a masters in sociology, is the first woman to be appointed to one of the Saudi professional league clubs. She is expected to create mathematical psychological transformations in the coming days in her sports field, a decision that reflects the positive role women are playing in many sectors, including sports. This decision also shows the Kingdom’s support for the empowerment of Saudi women.
Speaking to Arab News about the impact of social service in sports, Bazaid said that it promoted the development of human societies and the expansion of human activities.
“One of the most important areas that needs the presence of a social worker is the field of sports, in order to achieve the psychological and social balance of players according to advanced professional methods,” Bazaid said.
As a Saudi woman, Bazaid highlighted the most prominent challenges and obstacles and the means to overcome them.
Saudi women have reached advanced stages in several areas
Mada Bazaid
“Saudi women have reached advanced stages in several areas. Rejection and acceptance are a natural phenomenon, but the persistence of the Saudi woman is great, and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 requires the participation of all segments of society in the labor market, especially as we are talking about a vital society in which men and women need to participate in a way consistent with the aspirations of this society,” she said.
Asked about ways to create balance in the sports field between the sexes, Bazaid said that based on the vision of managing the development of age groups in Al-Wehda Club, “We aim to create a distinguished player in a safe environment. My role as a social worker for the age groups is to contribute within the framework of the objectives of social service (therapeutic — preventive — developmental).”
Saudi women’s participation in sport is not simply confined to areas such as the field, the benches or the administration.
With this new appointment, social workers are an emerging speciality, integrating social work practices into all aspects of athletics for the well-being of individuals and the community. This brings attention to the needs and challenges of athletes, supports athletes’ strengths and advocates for case coordination and counseling when needed.
JEDDAH: More than 1,000 people suffering from various ailments visited the mobile clinics set up by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief ) in Hajjah governorate in Yemen.
These clinics have been established in cooperation with the Taiba Development Foundation.
The center is carrying out several humanitarian projects across the war-ravaged impoverished country.
As part of the relief efforts, two trucks carrying humanitarian aid including 24 electric wheelchairs and other medical supplies crossed Al-Wahda border crossing. The consignment is heading to Aden and Marib governorates.
KSRelief is also carrying out water supply and environmental sanitation projects in different parts of Yemen.
During the period from Aug. 13 to 19, the center supplied 410,400 liters of non-potable water and 273,600 liters of drinking water, benefiting 6,320 individuals in Hajjah governorate.
The center distributed 3,000 cartons of dates among 3,000 internally displaced families in Taiz.
A total of 24,243 Yemenis have so far received treatment for their injuries as part of a Saudi health program launched in May 2015, figures have revealed.
The KSRelief project aims to ensure patients get necessary treatment within Yemen while critical cases are transferred to health facilities in Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries.
KSRelief supplied 410,400 liters of non-potable water and 273,600 liters of drinking water, benefiting 6,320 individuals in Hajjah governorate.
The center has provided treatment for 9,729 Yemenis in government and private hospitals in the south of the Kingdom, referred several critical cases for advanced medical care at facilities in the Riyadh and Makkah regions, and transported 815 people for treatment in Jordan, Sudan, and India.
KSRelief offers diagnostic services, surgical facilities, and rehabilitation while providing necessary medication.
It has also launched artificial limb centers in Aden, Marib, and Taiz for the victims of land mines planted by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Work on another center is underway in the Seiyun governorate.
In addition, the aid organization has provided training for 5,138 Yemeni cadres at the centers.
KSRelief has also signed 10 contracts with private hospitals in the Yemeni governorates of Aden, Taiz, Seiyun, and Mukalla to provide treatment, diagnosis, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and follow-up services for 9,014 injured Yemenis.
And Saudi Arabia has launched several programs to combat dengue, cholera, and the corona- virus disease (COVID-19) in Yemen.
KSRelief has implemented 344 health projects in Yemen carried out in coordination with the high relief committee of the Yemeni Health Ministry and local and international partners.
SAKAKA: More than 18,000 people visited Al-Jouf festival during its first three days. Al-Jouf municipality organized the event at Al-Nakheel Park in Sakaka.
Several productive Saudi families showcased their products. The municipality announced prizes worth SR60,000 ($15,998) for different categories.
The festival aimed at highlighting traditional foods and promoting local artists.
Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, strict precautions were in place during the festival.
Young Saudi men and women took part in different competitions. An art section was reserved for local artists
to display their paintings. People took great interest in their work and appreciated their creativity.
It also features 25 food carts run by more than 50 Saudi young men and women, all of whom found their small startups economically viable.
These carts, which open in the evening when the weather is mild and people go out for a walk, contributed to providing a variety of food and beverage options for visitors.
JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal will launch the 5th Makkah Cultural Forum on Monday.
This year’s theme of the forum is “How can we set an example?” The forum aims at involving authorities, institutions, and individuals in the development of cultural identity.
The Makkah Cultural Forum, launched by the governor of the Makkah region four years ago, succeeded in unifying the cultural and humanitarian works of the government and private sectors in the region around a single vision and a positive concept.
It also followed a strategy that prioritizes the importance of building strong Saudi citizens who can improve their homeland and the civilization of their country.
What distinguishes the Makkah Cultural Forum is its adoption of an annual theme from which events, activities, and programs draw their spirit and identity.
Last year’s forum hosted by the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Center for the Arabic Language aimed at finding initiatives that promoted Arabic and its uses.
LUSAKA: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift to Zambia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
On behalf of the center, Saudi Ambassador to Zambia Osama Krenshi delivered the aid to Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji at the ministry’s headquarters in the capital Lusaka.
Malanji expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support, and thanked KSRelief for providing assistance.
The gift is within the Kingdom’s programs to a number of brotherly countries, aimed at reaching some of the world’s neediest families.
Since its launch in 2015, the center has carried out 1,333 projects worth $4.5 billion all over the world, in cooperation with 144 local, regional and international partners.
Recently, KSRelief urged Saudis to make charitable donations only through the authorized entity.
The center has created an online portal to receive donations, which can be sent through donate.ksrelief.org or by sending an SMS message to 5565. Donors can also make bank transfers to Banque Saudi Fransi, Bank Albilad or Alinma Bank.
